Youth group honors 35 successful schools

A local group – Coalition of Youth and Student against Poverty and Discrimination (CYSAPD) has identified with this year’s top 35 schools that made successful 100 percent passes in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) exams.

The initiative is based on the early results released by WAEC, which showed a list of 35 high schools with a “100 percent pass rate.” In order words, every student from these 35 schools who sat the WAEC for 2016 made a successful pass.

The executive director of the group, Ishmael T. Koffeh made the disclosure recently at the kickoff of the initiative held at the Richard C. Hunter School System in Gardnerville that also made a successful 100 percent pass rate in this year’s WAEC exams.

“We have decided to appreciate teachers and school administrators beginning with Richard C. Hunter School System for the level of efforts in ensuring that their students made a 100 percent pass rate in WAEC. As an organization, we also believe in the forward march of the students and are delighted to encourage and laud the work done,” Director Koffeh said.

He stated that the cost of the initiative is valued at L$300,000 aimed at encouraging teachers and school authorities for doing exceptionally well for their students to pass the most important examinations in the academic year.

He noted that, the only challenge is how to reach out to some of the schools outside Montserrado County that made a successful pass, but promised to ensure package for them is delivered safely and on time.

Mr. Koffeh said he believes that providing gifts and encouraging schools that made a successful 100 percent pass rate was another way of inspiring other schools that were unable to form part of this year’s top 35 schools in the just ended WAEC tests to do their best.

“We hope this will not make you complacent but motivate you to ensure that the Richard C. Hunter School System is part of this list from WAEC. This tells you how much we are concerned about you and we will continue to work with your school,” he said.

Director Koffeh said he believes that the humanitarian gesture of some individuals, including Senator Geraldine Doe-Sheriff of Montserrado County, Richmond Anderson of District #12 of Montserrado County and Martin Kollie of National Lottery Authority will join the effort in reaching out to some of the schools, including students, to appreciate their excellent performances.

In remarks, Edwin O. Zaza, Principal of the Richard C. Hunter School System said he was delighted for the initiative and praised the organization for reaching out to his school.
“This is not the first time for the school to have 100 percent pass rate. This is the 5th time and we will continue to teach the students in the best way to ensure that they are always part of this list. The gift brings proud to us and will also serve as an encouragement for the teaching staff,” Mr. Zaza said.

By Bridgett Milton